Man Charged In Thefts From Parking Meters Police

A special patrol formed to deal with a rash of coin thefts from parking meters in Bethlehem has led to the arrest of a Fountain Hill man for allegedly breaking into 15 meters.

Capt. Thomas Murphy said Arthur A. Mitchell, 18, of 921 Seneca St. was apprehended Thursday and charged with thefts from 14 meters and a break-in with no loss of coins at a 15th meter.

Mitchell is free on his own recognizance pending a hearing before District Justice John Gombosi of Bethlehem. He is charged with multiple counts of theft, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief.

Detective Walter Diefenderfer and Investigator Jim Smith arrested Mitchell after they observed his car in the area early Thursday following the discovery of some recent break-ins.

Bethlehem had about 40 meters rifled from late January through February. About 20 of the break-ins were committed on one weekend. The locations were scattered along 3rd and 4th streets and elsewhere on the South Side as well as in the unit block of W. Market Street.

Traffic Sgt. Eugene Learn confirmed that it costs the city about $50 per meter to repair break-in damage. Thus, the total recent spree produced about $2,000 damage. Learn said it would be difficult to estimate the total monetary value of the coin thefts.

Murphy said Diefenderfer and Smith had seen Mitchell's car more than once while they were on patrol in the target areas. After discovering a break-in and later stopping Mitchell's car, the pair of policemen found "evidence connecting him with a meter break-in and he did admit to the other thefts."

Murphy said Diefenderfer set up the stakeout. "He took charge of it. He did a real good job," the captain said. He said the investigation is continuing and two juveniles may be implicated in the crimes.